Plaster floor construction.



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Patented Mar. 7,1916.

I II I I I I C W UTZMAN PLAsTER FLOOR CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED AU(.30. 1912.

NON

f NN I NN c. w. UTZMAN.

PLASTER FLOOR CONSTRUCTION.

, APPLICATION FILED AUG. 30. 1912. y 1,174,206.` Patented Man?, 1916.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Y n: l II/ I a C. W. UTZMAN.

PLASTER FLOOR CONSTRUCTION. v

APPLICATION FILED AuG.a0,I9I2.

1,174,206.` Patentemar. 7,1916.

' EEN l 4 SHEETS-SH I Il i .f gull r 'of f 142% UNITED s'rATEs -PATEN'I OFFICE.

CLARENCE W. U'rzMAN, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIGNon. To -THE UNITED STATES GYPSUM COMPANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or' NEW JERSEY.

PLASTER FLOOR CONSTRUCTION.

Patented Mar. 7, 191e.l

Application led August 80, 1912. y Serial No. 717,838.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CLARENCE Urz- MAN a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Cliicago, in the'county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plaster Floor Constructions, of which the following is a speci.- iication.A

My invention relates in general to floor structures, and more particularly to floor structures such as are employed in fire-proof buildings and which are designed to meet the requirements of the Underwriters Association.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provlde a floor structure which will be materially lighter in 'weight than the floor structures which are at present employed in fire-proof buildings, permitting thereby the use of substantially lighter and consequently less expensive structuralmembers to be used in the frameworkvof the building.

A further object of the invention is to provide a light, fire-proof floor structure which -will require in its construction a minimum amount of false-work which must subsequently be removed and ultimately discarded.

A still further object of kthe invention is to provide means for reinforcing the iioor structure which will be supported and sustained in position beyond the reach of excessive heat created by a fire coming in contact therewith in any part of the building.

Another object of the invention is to provide a floor structure wherein if the material upon the ceiling-side of the room be burned or consumed by fire, depriving it of its loadsupporting strength, this material will be permitted to drop into the room below, reducing thereby the load upon the upper por tion of the Hoor structure and permitting it to oii'er a maximum amount of resistance to the passage of heat while retaining a minimum amount of weight to support in its reduced strength.

An additional object ofthe invention is to so construct the parts of the ioor structure that they may be transported and stored until ready for use in knock-down condition if 1 so `desired and capable of being quickly-and` easily assembled and placed in position.

Further objects and advantages of the in` vention will be apparent as it is better understood .from the following description-y which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, illustrates preferred emodiments thereof.

On the drawings -Figure 1 is apartialvert1cal sectional view of la floor structure const ructed in pursuance with myinvention; Fig. 2 1s a similar view showing the arrangement/of the falsework and reinforcing members; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2 partially completed, show- Ing the arrangement ofthe transverse reinforcing elements and the cavity-forming members in position therebetween; Fig. 4 1s a partial perspective view disclosing a referred means of securing the walls forming. the cavity-forming members together at their base; Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the means fastening the said walls together at their tops; Fig. 6 is a partial perspective v1ew of the top wall of the cavity-forming members; Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the preferred fastening means disclosed in Fig. 4;v Fig. 8 is a similar view of the fastening means disclosed in Fig. 5; Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a slightly modified form of the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive; Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing lanother slight modification of the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, and Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view vshowing the adaptation of the floor structure to'iioors provided to sustain somewhat heavier loads `than the floors constructed in accordance with Figs. 1 to 3.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention an embodiment of the same is shown on the drawings in various stages of comple# tion and in various modifications connected L to and supported by theistructural I-beams 15 such as are usually employed in fire-proof` buildings. The nished structure is composed primarily of a central layerV 16 of stucco or other cementitious material which -l is adapted to bond with a layer of plaster- ,s

board 17 disposed therebeneath and whiclfi'fl preferably retains in its set condition a rela- .j

tively large percentage of water. y In this layer of stucco or cementitious materialare provided a plurality of cavities 1'8 formed by boxes 19 of plaster-board or other ma terial which will bond with the stucco and which will not shrink or expand as'the iioorV .4

Between these' cavity-forming driesv out. members or boxes a plurality of transverse v this material does not shrink or expand rods 21 are'provided, and upon them and beneath -the cavity-forming elements is disposed and embedded in vthe layer of stucco 16 a. sheet of expanded metal or wire fabric 20 upon which the bottom edges of the boxes preferably rest. The rods 21 are preferably twisted or roughened to enable them to be. more vfirmly retained in the stucco, and to more efficiently reinforce the same. These rods are, in the embodiment of the invention shown in, Figs. 1 to 3, arranged in pairs and secured at their ends to the opposite I- beams 15. For this purpose the ends 22 of the rods 21 are looped over the upper outer horizontal flanges of'the I-beams, and these rods are preferably depressed throughout their central portions. as at 23, to lie adjacent the lower or ceiling side of the floor structure, the depressed portions, however, being spaced a sufficient distance from the ceiling side ofthe structure to provide the required depth of fire-proofing material or stucco between the saidrods and the ceiling of' the room beneath. As shown in Figs. l to 3, a plurality of pairs of rods extend between each parallel pair of I-beams, dividing the space inclosed' by the Iv-beams into approximately. equal rectangular spaces. The

' rods disposed in one direction are all preferably deflected at their central portions an amount sufficiently greater than the deflection of the rods disposed at right angles thereto to permit the second set of rods t0 rest upon the first set. A shorter rod 24 is employed in connection with each pair of the longer rods at each side, and preferably disposed therebetween, one end of the shorter rod restingaipon the lower inner `horizontal flange of the I-beam and the other end resting upon 4the nearest'pair of longer rods disposed at right angles thereto, as is perhaps best seen in Fig. 2. The fabric or sheet 20 is preferably disposed over the rods 21 and 24 beneath the cavity-forming members orboxes 19, and is preferably cut into strips to fit between the rods running in one direction in order'that it may be easily positioned.

The cavity-forming members or boxes are preferably constructed of plaster-board, as

under varying conditions, and is unaffected by the degree of moisture contained therein or in the surrounding cementitious material. The boxes 19 are preferably openat their bottom, and formed of an appropriate numandtop clamps 28 are used to securely fasten the corners of the vside walls together. Each of the clamps 27, preferably formed of sheet metal, is provided with an npstanding flange 29 at each Side of the rectangular corner 3l, and similar although shorter fianges 32 adapted to be disposed within the cavityforming member to engage the side walls internally of the box. The flanges 32 are preferably formed by stamping a po-rtion of the clamp 27 upwardly, as shown in Fig. 4, the rear portion of the clamp being left intact and having its edges bent to permit it to form a stifi'ening brace 33. The top clamp 28 is cut away at its front, and the outer side edges 34 bent down at right angles to each other to form flanges to embrace the outer faces of the top of the side walls adj acent the corner. The intermediate portion of this clamp is pressed downwardly aS shown in Fig. 5 to form walls 35 engaging the inner surface of the side walls, the` depressed portion 36 forming a support for the` corner 3 7 of the top member 2G, permitting the upper surface of this top member to lie substantially in the same plane with the upper edges of the side walls. One or more plaster-boards may be employed in forming each side wall and top member, one of the boards being shown in Figs. 4, 5 and and four shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 9 a slight modification in the arrangement of the reinforcing rods is disclosed. ln this construction one of each pair of parallel rods is continued substantially horizontally from the I-beam 38 until it reaches the first pair of rods 39 and 41 disposed at right angles thereto. This rod 42 is at that point bent downwardly to the second pair of parallel rods 43 where it becomes parallel with its companion rod 44. Between the rods 39 and 41 an angle plate 45 is employed to separate the rods 39 and 41 and the rods 42 and 44, this plate resting merely upon the rods 39 and 44 and spacing apart therefrom the rods 41 and 42.

In Fig. 10 the rods 46 which extend completely across the structure between the I-beams 47 are disposed throughout their length in a horizontal plane, and are continuons throughout the construction, suitable `apertures 48 being provided through the web of the I-beam for this purpose. The shorter reinforcing rods, which are in this instance secu'i'ed to the outer upper horizontal flange 49 of the I-beam, as at 51, are inclined lwithin the floor structure and looped about the pair of transverse rods 46 as seen at 52. In Fig. 10 is also `shown the means of providing a floor structure of any of the embodiments with an I-beam having a greater depth than the necessary, depth of the fioor. As the underwriters require that a certain amount of cementitious or other material of high fire-resisting qualities be interposed between the iron-work and the interior of the building, the lower flange 53 of the I-beam 47 is provided with a pair of blocks 54 which are recessed at 55 to receive and fit upon the lower flanges 53. vThese blocks are of such dimension that all points of the I-beam are at the required distance from the interior of the room, and are protected by the required amount of' fire-proofing material. In this figure also is shown a vertical reinforcing sheet 56 of expanded metal or wire fabric which when deemed desirable may be employed in connection with any and all embodiments and adaptation of the floor structure shown and described herein.

4In Fig. 11, which is probably the embodiment of the invention best adapted to support extremely heavy loads, a plurality of channel irons 57 are connected together by.

fish plates or angle irons or other suitable structural metal 58, the channel irons being so arranged that the space between the angle irons is divided in much the same manner as the space between the I-beam 15 is divided by the pairs of reinforcing rods 21. Secured members may either be hooked around the at the junctions of these channel irons adjacent the corner formed by each pair of I-beams is provided an angular upright plate 59 supporting` a pair of reinforcing rods ormembers 61 and 62. These rods or upper outer horizontal flange of the I-beam in a'manner similar to that hereinbefore described, or each rod or member 61 and 62` .may be disposed over the I-beam as shown at 63, the ends thereof serving to reinforce the floor structure upon opposite sides of the Iebeam and in adjacent spaces.' The end of the rod within the floor construction is bent downwardly beyond the plate 59 to provide the inclined portion 64 secured to the fish or angle-plates 58 at the intersection of the channel irons next beyond the intersection of the channel irons at which the angle plate 59 is located. The companion reinforcing member 66 is shorter in length, and is bent downwardly immediately upon leaving the I-beam, and is secured to the angle or fish-plate 58 disposed at the intersection of the channel irons at which the angle plate 59 is secured.

In constructing any of the floor structures hereinbefore described false work composed Aof a plurality of supporting rafters 68 and 69 are secured in position to support the plaster-board 17, which forms the platform for the reception of the stucco or cementitious material. When the plaster-board is in position the main and auxiliary reinforcing and supporting rods are positioned, and the strips of the reinforcing sheet 20 of wire or expanded metal are la1d over them in the manner described. 'A quantity of stucco or cementitious material in a plastic or semi# liquid state is now poured upon and through the sheet of expanded metal until the space between it and the plaster-board is filled and the reinforcing sheet completely covered. Upon this layer of stucco or cementitious material and in the spaces formed between the rods are now `positioned the cavityforming elements or boxes which settle into the cementitious material until their open bottoms rest upon the fabric. More stucco or cementitious material, preferably identical in composition with that first placed upon the plaster-boards, is now added until the tops of the cavity-forming members and the rods and angle-irons are submerged, and a smooth even surface of cementitious material of desired minimum depth' is provided. In the upper surface of this cementitious material are secured a plurality of wooden or composite furring strips 71 upon which the rough flooring 7 2is subsequently nailed and the finished fiooring 73 positioned. Where a concrete fiooring is desired, however, the concrete 74 may be deposited directly upon the stucco, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. The stucco or cementitious material bonds permanently and efficiently with the upper surface of the plaster-board as it becomes set, at which time the beams 68 and 69 are removed. The finishing plaster "7 5 may then be applied, and the paper or finish 76 subsequently applied thereto, the plaster-board bonding as readily with the finishing plaster as with the cementitious material immediately above it.

It will be manifest that I have provided a floor construction of minimum weight retaining a relatively large percentage of water, capable of resisting the desired strains and supporting desired weights, and which is of high fire-resisting qualities, and which can be readily made tocomply in every way with the building and underwriters regulations in all localities by various changes of dimension.

It will be apparent that various changes may be made inthe form, material and arrangement of the various elements of the structure, and numerous modifications made in the method of constructing the same without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention, or sacrificing any vof its advantages. I claim 1. A floor'and ceiling construction comprising supporting beams, reinforcing mem- 2. A fioor and ceiling construction com-k prising supporting beams, reinforcing members supported by 4said beams, a layer of bers supported by said beams a layer of plaster disposed between said beams and plaster disposed between said beams and sursurrounding said reinforcing members, cavrounding said reinforcing members, and a ity-forming members disposed within the layer of plaster board. adhering to the lower 5 layer of 4plaster between the reinforcing surface of said plaster and forming a sup- 15 means, -and means adhering to the lower surport therefore during the process of erection.

face ofsaid plaster and forming a support CLARENCE W. UTZMAN. therefor during the process of erection. Witnesses 3. A oor and ceiling construction com- LUTHER JOHNS,

10 prising supporting beams, reinforcing mem- J. C. CARPENTER. 

